GERMANY'S ongoing political crisis will affect the European Union as the bloc faces increasing challenges during the Brexit process.

Germany could weaken the stability of the European Union as Chancellor Angela Merkel faces the possibility of new elections following a failed attempt to form a coalition government.

John Jungclaussen, from German newspaper Die Zeit, said the EU had received a vitality boost from Brexit but could end up facing instability because of a "weak Government in Berlin."

He said: "What Brexit has done to Europe is that Europe is coming closer together. The 27 are closing ranks, very successfully, I think.

"There are a lot of issues that need sorting out and I think for those issues a weak Government in Berlin is a lot more difficult to sort out than Brexit. I don’t think Brexit will be affected by this."

GETTY/DEUTSCHE WELLE

Political crisis in Germany will not affect the Brexit process

Speaking to BBC Daily Politics, Mr Jungclaussen said he could not see the Brexit process being affected by the ongoing German political crisis as talks with Britain are not a "top" priority for Berlin.

He continued: "Brexit is not on top of the list of any German Government.

"I think what is more important is issues that are coming in Europe next year such as the elections in Italy. And the threat of the rising populist right there.

"The euro needs to be sorted out, there is the issue of the migrants who are still drowning in the Mediterranean."

Mrs Merkel saw coalition talks come to a sudden end when the FDP party walked out after two months of negotiation with the Chancellor's CDU and the Greens.